1917 Half Dollar Coin Value: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1917 Half Dollar value ranges from $0.50 face value to $152,750. That record was a Grade 67 example sold through Heritage Auctions in August 2015. If you’re curious what yours could fetch, upload a photo of your coin below for a quick value range. You can also scroll down to see recent eBay sales and what buyers are paying today.

 

1917 Half Dollar Value By Variety

The price gap between 1917 Half Dollar varieties is massive. The rare 1917-S Obverse in Mint State can bring nearly ten times what a Philadelphia coin does.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Kennedy Half Dollar Worth Money (1964 – Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1917 Half Dollar Worth Money

The king of the 1917 series is a 1917-S Obverse graded MS-67 that sold for $152,750 at Heritage Auctions in August 2015. Low mintage and jaw-dropping preservation made that coin a once-in-a-generation opportunity. San Francisco struck fewer than a million of these, and finding one that survived in gem condition is like pulling a needle from a haystack.

Here’s what catches people off guard: the higher-mintage Reverse Mint Mark coins are actually harder to find in MS-65+ than many of the lower-mintage Obverse types. By mid-1917, the excitement over the new design had worn off, and fewer coins got tucked away. Grade jumps are brutal on pricing too. A single point separates the $78,000 1917-D Obverse MS-66 from potential six-figure territory at MS-67.

Recent Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers results from 2024–2025 show MS-65 Reverse Mint Mark types regularly selling 200–300% above published PCGS price guide values. These are serious conditional rarities.

 

History Of The 1917 Half Dollar

The 1917 Walking Liberty half dollar landed right at the crossroads of American art and world conflict. Sculptor Adolph A. Weinman won the design competition organized in late 1915 by Mint Director Robert W. Woolley. He beat out other artists for both the dime (the famous Mercury dime) and the half dollar. His Walking Liberty design drove the Mint crazy — the high relief made it incredibly tough to get a full strike.

The new half dollar quietly entered circulation in January 1917. Weinman himself had to mail a $10 money order to Philadelphia Mint Superintendent Adam M. Joyce just to get 20 coins as New Year’s gifts. Nobody at the Mint had even told him the coins were out. America’s attention was fixed on the looming entry into World War I.

Here’s a sad footnote: Charles E. Barber, the longtime Mint Engraver whose half dollar design Weinman’s coin had just replaced, died on January 18, 1917. The new coins were barely reaching the public.

What makes 1917 truly unique is the mid-year mint mark shakeup. On February 14, 1917, Mint Director Friedrich von Engelken ordered the mint mark moved from the obverse to the reverse. He thought the obverse placement looked like a die defect. Von Engelken was already leaving for the Federal Land Bank, so his successor Raymond T. Baker had to confirm the order in writing that April — officially authorizing the move to the 7 o’clock position on the reverse.

That one decision created five distinct varieties from a single year: the Philadelphia issue (no mint mark), plus obverse and reverse mint mark versions from both Denver and San Francisco. No other year in the entire Walking Liberty series (1916–1947) produced anything like it.

Also Read: Top 35 Most Valuable Franklin Half Dollar Worth Money (1948 – 1963)

 

Is Your 1917 Half Dollar Rare?

Confirm the specific rarity classification and current market positioning for your half dollar using our Coin Identifier and Value App‘s comprehensive Walking Liberty assessment system.

 

Key Features of The 1917 Half Dollar

Weinman’s Walking Liberty design is widely considered one of the most beautiful coins the U.S. ever produced. It was so good that the Mint brought it back in 1986 for the American Silver Eagle bullion coin. You’ve probably seen it without even realizing it.

The 1917 date is special because the mid-year mint mark move created five distinct varieties — the only year in the entire Walking Liberty series (1916–1947) where that happened.

The Obverse Of The 1917 Half Dollar

Flip the coin to the front. Miss Liberty strides toward the rising sun, right arm outstretched, left arm cradling branches of oak (strength) and laurel (prosperity). A star-spangled cape flows behind her.

“LIBERTY” arches across the top. “IN GOD WE TRUST” sits at her lower right, and the date 1917 runs along the bottom. Now here’s the key: on early 1917 Denver and San Francisco coins, look directly beneath “IN GOD WE TRUST.” That’s where you’ll find the “D” or “S” mint mark on the Obverse varieties — and those are the valuable ones.

The Reverse Of The 1917 Half Dollar

Turn it over. A bald eagle perches on a rocky crag with a pine branch growing from it — representing America’s rugged roots. The wings are spread wide in a defensive, powerful stance.

“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arches above, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” appears to the left, and “HALF DOLLAR” runs below. Look beneath the eagle’s right wing — Weinman tucked his initials “AW” there. For coins struck after April 1917, the “D” or “S” mint mark was relocated to the lower left of the reverse near the rim, close to the eagle’s tail feathers. That’s your Reverse Mint Mark variety.

Other Features Of The 1917 Half Dollar

The 1917 Half Dollar measures 30.6mm in diameter and weighs 12.50 grams, composed of 90% silver and 10% copper with a total net weight of 0.36169 ounces of pure silver. All coins feature a reeded edge — the small ridged bumps around the circumference that help prevent counterfeiting and coin shaving.

With silver prices near $47–$48 per troy ounce in late 2025, any 1917 half dollar has a melt value around $17. But even the most beat-up collectible examples carry numismatic value well above melt. Only damaged or severely corroded culls trade near silver content.

Also Read: Top 60+ Most Valuable Walking Liberty Half Dollar (1916–1947)

 

1917 Half Dollar Mintage & Survival Data

Philadelphia cranked out 12,292,000 coins — but only 0.51% survived. That’s a brutal attrition rate. Wartime circulation and silver melts wiped out the vast majority. Big mintage doesn’t mean big survival.

The Obverse Mint Mark varieties tell a different story. The 1917-D Obverse had just 765,400 struck, yet nearly 5% survived. The 1917-S Obverse held a similar rate from 952,000 pieces. Collectors at the time recognized the unusual obverse mint mark placement and pulled coins out of circulation before they got chewed up. Smart move.

The Reverse Mint Mark varieties got the short end. Despite higher mintages, fewer survived in gem condition. The novelty had worn off. Nobody was setting these aside. That’s exactly why Greysheet values for the series range from $32.58 all the way to $168,000 depending on variety and grade.

Also Read: What Half Dollars Are Worth Money?

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1917 Half Dollar Value

Walking Liberty halves from 1917 are one of the trickiest grading challenges in U.S. numismatics. Weinman’s high-relief design caused poor metal flow into the dies. Many coins show weak detail on Liberty’s hand, head, and the eagle’s feathers even though they never circulated. That’s a strike issue, not a wear issue — and it trips up a lot of people.

Getting the grade right matters enormously. A 1917 half dollar could be a $25 coin or a five-figure coin depending on condition. Before you spend money on PCGS or NGC grading, try our Coin Identifier and Value App for a quick grade estimate and value range. It’ll help you figure out if professional submission is worth it.

 

1917 Half Dollar Value Guides

Five varieties from one year. That mid-year mint mark move gave collectors a set unlike anything else in the Walking Liberty series. Values range from pocket-change circulated pieces to six-figure auction records.

1917 Half Dollar Types:

• 1917 No Mint Mark Half Dollar (Philadelphia)
• 1917-D Obverse Half Dollar (Denver)
• 1917-D Reverse Half Dollar (Denver)
• 1917-S Obverse Half Dollar (San Francisco)
• 1917-S Reverse Half Dollar (San Francisco)

 

1917 No Mint Mark Half Dollar Value

If you’re building a 1917 set, start here. The Philadelphia issue is the most affordable entry point with 12,292,000 struck — the highest mintage among early-date (1916–1929) Walkers. PCGS’s David Hall notes that mint state examples tend to be well struck, with a beautiful white satin luster that’s typical of early Walkers.

Gems are still scarce, though. A half dollar was real money in 1917, and most got spent. The Greysheet calls this the ideal type coin for the early Walker set — you can find it in every grade up to MS-67, which is the only level considered genuinely scarce.

The auction record sits at $39,950 for an MS-67 example sold at Heritage Auctions on August 10, 2016. On the more accessible end, a David Lawrence Rare Coin Auction offered an MS-65 with stunning colorful toning that brought $793. Eye appeal can do a lot for even a common date.

Here’s what recent auction results look like for this variety.

Market activity reflects steady demand driven by both type collectors and investors recognizing its historical significance.

Market activity score: 88/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 25 points from Jun 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1917-D Obverse Half Dollar Value

Only 765,400 struck. That puts the 1917-D Obverse among just nine dates in the entire Walking Liberty series with sub-million mintages — and it’s the scarcer of the two Denver varieties by a wide margin.

Look for the “D” beneath “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the obverse. That placement only lasted a few months before the policy reversal. PCGS’s David Hall says it “remains scarce in circulated grades with mint state examples being very scarce and gems classified as rare.”

The biggest recent public sale was at Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ June 2025 Showcase Auction: a PCGS MS-65+ with both CAC and CMQ approval brought $22,800. Before that, an MS-66 hit $78,000 in early 2018. I think this variety consistently punches above its weight at the top end.

Here are the recorded auction results for this variety.

Market patterns reveal concentrated collector interest focused on the obverse mint mark placement from Denver.

Market activity score: 84/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 26 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 86 (Aug 2026).

 

1917-D Reverse Half Dollar Value

How can a coin with 1,940,000 mintage be rarer than one with 765,400? Welcome to the inverse rarity game. Denver ramped up production after the April 1917 mint mark move, placing the “D” at the 7 o’clock position on the reverse. Mint Director von Engelken thought it looked better there.

PCGS’s David Hall confirms that in gem condition, the 1917-D Reverse is “decidedly rarer than the 1917-D obverse” — and even marginally rarer than the 1917-S Reverse. By mid-1917, nobody was setting these aside anymore. The novelty was gone.

The auction record is $43,200 for an MS-65+ example sold at Heritage Auctions on January 3, 2018. Current 2024–2025 market data shows MS-65 examples regularly exceeding published price guide values by 200–300%. The market is telling you these gem survivors are far rarer than population reports suggest.

Auction results tell the real story of what these coins bring when they cross the block.

Current market dynamics show sustained collector interest despite the variety’s higher production numbers.

Market activity score: 87/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 29 points from Jun 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1917-S Obverse Half Dollar Value

This is the coin that makes registry set collectors lose sleep. With just 952,000 struck at San Francisco, the 1917-S Obverse is the highest-valued of the four branch-mint 1917 issues — and we think it’s the crown jewel of the entire 1917 set.

PCGS’s David Hall notes this was historically the most expensive coin in the entire Walking Liberty series in mint state. Modern pop reports have since revealed the 1921-S and 1919-D are technically rarer up top, but the 1917-S Obverse remains scarce across all conditions. The Greysheet says scarcity begins at the XF level, and genuine rarity kicks in from MS-60 through MS-66. MS-67 is described as “very rare.”

The all-time record is $152,750 for an MS-67 sold at Heritage Auctions on August 16, 2015. Unlike common dates where premiums only show up in mint state, this variety is genuinely scarce even in VF and EF grades. That makes it compelling at multiple price points.

Auction prices across all grade levels back up this variety’s reputation as a top-tier Walker.

Market sentiment continues to favor this legendary key date with consistent long-term demand.

Market activity score: 81/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 23 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 84 (Aug 2026).

 

1917-S Reverse Half Dollar Value

Don’t overlook this one. The 1917-S Reverse has the highest mintage of the four branch-mint varieties at 5,554,000 pieces, and it looks boring on paper. It’s not. This is a sleeper rarity at the gem level that keeps surprising people.

PCGS confirms circulated examples are plentiful, but mint state coins are scarce and true gems are rare. Strike softness, bag marks in the open fields, and impaired luster knock most coins out of contention at MS-65. In December 2025, a GreatCollections auction featured a PCGS MS-65 with a CAC Green sticker that drew strong bidder interest.

The auction record is $71,300 for an MS-67 sold by Bowers & Merena on February 4, 2006 — nearly 19 years ago. That tells you how rarely top-grade survivors come to market. Recent 2024–2025 data shows MS-65 examples consistently selling above PCGS guide prices. The market knows what’s scarce.

Auction trends show this coin punching well above what you’d expect from its mintage.

Market participation shows broad-based interest from collectors at all levels.

Market activity score: 84/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 26 points from Jun 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

Also Read: Rare Half Dollar Coins to Look For

 

Rare 1917 Half Dollar Error List

Errors on 1917 Walking Liberty halves are uncommon, but a few documented varieties exist that can add real value. Here’s what to look for.

1. 1917 Half Dollar Delamination Errors

Delamination happens when the planchet layers start splitting apart. You’ll see lines, voids, or flap-like separations on the surface — almost like peeling paint.

The cause is usually impurities in the alloy, a bad bond between metal layers, or gas pockets trapped during rolling. Some 1917 Walkers show delamination on the obverse where the metals didn’t fully bond. These carry a modest premium over normal coins. How much depends on how dramatic and eye-catching the error looks.

2. 1917 Half Dollar Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)

A DDO happens when the working die gets struck more than once during its creation, slightly offset each time. Design elements — letters, the date, Liberty’s figure — appear doubled. Both impressions are raised, which separates a true DDO from wear or machine doubling.

A minor 1917 DDO variety is documented. It won’t blow your mind like the famous Lincoln cent doubled dies, but it’s a genuine attribution variety. One certified uncirculated example reportedly sold for around $150 in 2024. Grab a 5–10x loupe and check the motto lettering for doubling.

3. 1917 Half Dollar Repunched Mint Mark (RPM)

Before 1990, mint marks were hand-punched onto individual working dies. If the first punch was weak or crooked, the engraver would punch it again — leaving a secondary overlapping impression. That’s your RPM.

Several RPM varieties exist in the Walking Liberty series, and 1917 is no exception. These are cataloged in the Cherrypickers’ Guide using FS (Fivaz-Stanton) designation numbers. Premium value depends on how visible the secondary impression is and the coin’s overall grade. This is classic cherrypicking territory.

4. 1917 Half Dollar Satin Finish Proof Specimens

The Mint didn’t sell proof sets to the public in 1917. But a tiny number of satin-finish Presentation Piece proofs do exist. Numismatic historian Walter Breen confirmed only three specimens — likely struck for VIPs or senior government officials.

You can spot them by their superior strike with full design detail, wide even rims, and a surface crispness you won’t find on business strikes. One PCGS PR-66 example reportedly sold for approximately $25,000 in early 2024. Be careful — sellers sometimes call lustrous business strikes “satin finish” to inflate the price. If anyone claims to have a 1917 proof, demand PCGS or NGC certification. No slab, no deal.

 

Where to Sell Your 1917 Half Dollar?

Now that you understand your 1917 Half Dollar’s market value and grade, the key question becomes finding the right selling platform to maximize your return. Whether you have a common circulated Philadelphia piece or a rare obverse mint mark variety, selecting the appropriate marketplace is crucial.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1917 Half Dollar Market Trend

Market interest: 2,890 collectors tracking this coin as of Sep 2026 — up 900 from Mar 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About The 1917 Half Dollar

1. Where is the mint mark on a 1917 half dollar?

It depends on which variety you have. Early 1917 coins from Denver (“D”) and San Francisco (“S”) have the mint mark on the obverse — directly below “IN GOD WE TRUST.” After the April 1917 policy change, later coins have the mint mark on the reverse at about the 7 o’clock position near the lower-left rim, close to the eagle’s tail feathers. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark at all.

2. How much silver is in a 1917 half dollar?

Every 1917 Walking Liberty half dollar is 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 12.50 grams. That’s 0.36169 troy ounces of pure silver. With silver near $47–$48 per ounce in late 2025, melt value is approximately $17 — but even heavily worn examples are worth more than melt due to collector demand.

3. How can I tell if my 1917 half dollar is counterfeit?

Weigh it first. Authentic coins hit exactly 12.50 grams and measure 30.6mm. Counterfeits are often lighter, made of soft metals like lead or pot metal. One key tell: the “Fat Motto” counterfeit family shows a noticeably thick “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on the reverse, with the pine stem ending under the middle of the letter “B.” On a genuine coin, the pine stem ends at the right side of the “B.” Modern Chinese fakes may show microscopic parallel lines in the flat fields. For expensive varieties, only buy slabbed PCGS or NGC coins.

4. What does MS grade mean on a 1917 half dollar?

MS stands for Mint State — the coin never circulated and still has its original luster. The Sheldon scale runs from MS-60 (heavy bag marks, lowest uncirculated grade) to MS-70 (theoretically perfect). Most 1917 Walkers you’ll find in mint state fall between MS-60 and MS-64. MS-65 (Gem) is scarce for all 1917 varieties. MS-66 or MS-67? Genuinely rare.

5. What makes the 1917-S Obverse the most valuable variety?

Everything stacks up at once: a sub-million mintage of just 952,000 coins, scarce survival across nearly all grade levels, and strong collector demand as San Francisco’s contribution to the transitional mint mark year. The all-time record of $152,750 (Heritage Auctions, August 2015) for an MS-67 shows how few exist at the top.

6. What is the “inverse rarity” phenomenon in 1917 half dollars?

The higher-mintage Reverse Mint Mark varieties (1917-D Reverse and 1917-S Reverse) are actually scarcer in gem MS-65+ condition than some lower-mintage Obverse Mint Mark varieties. By mid-1917, the new design wasn’t exciting anymore, so fewer reverse-type coins got saved. In 2024–2025, MS-65 examples of the reverse types have sold for 200–300% above published PCGS price guide values.

7. Do any proof 1917 half dollars exist?

Yes, but barely. The Mint struck a handful of satin-finish Presentation Piece proofs — not for public sale. Walter Breen confirmed only three specimens. They show a sharp strike, full detail, crisp wide rims, and superior surfaces. A PCGS PR-66 example reportedly sold for approximately $25,000 in early 2024. Authentication by PCGS or NGC is mandatory before buying any coin claimed to be a 1917 proof.

8. Should I get my 1917 half dollar professionally graded by PCGS or NGC?

Professional grading makes sense if your coin appears to be Mint State (MS-60 or higher), if it’s any 1917-D or 1917-S variety worth more than $500, or if anyone claims it’s a proof. Both PCGS and NGC authenticate, assign a precise Sheldon scale grade, and seal the coin in a tamper-evident slab. Certified coins sell for significantly more than raw coins of the same variety.

9. How do I know which of the five 1917 varieties I have?

Check both sides. No mint mark anywhere? That’s Philadelphia. Find a “D” or “S” below “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the front? You’ve got an Obverse Mint Mark variety — the earlier, more valuable type. Mint mark on the back near the lower-left rim at about 7 o’clock? That’s a Reverse Mint Mark variety. Use a 5x magnifier — mint marks on early coins can be tiny and worn down.

10. Is a 1917 half dollar a good investment?

The 1917 Walking Liberty half dollar has shown strong long-term appreciation, especially the rarer obverse mint mark varieties and high-grade gem survivors. The 1917-S Obverse MS-67 sold for $152,750 in 2015, and the series draws steady buyer demand at Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

That said, condition is everything. Only professionally graded, problem-free examples in MS-64 or higher tend to appreciate meaningfully over time. Common Philadelphia coins in circulated grades are better thought of as silver bullion holdings than investment-grade numismatic pieces.